Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 1
Avila College, 35 Charles Street, Mount Waverley, 3149
Tel: 9831 9600 Fax: 9888 1202 Email: [email protected] Website: www. avila.vic.edu.au
Inside this issue:
2009 VCE Results
2009 College Dux
Student Achievements
Project Compassion launch
New Master Building plan
Fire Carrier honour
Opening Mass
Red Cross Door Knock
Oxfam Trailwalkers
New Year 7s
Japanese Exchange students
Year 12 formal
Past student news
Year 9 Camp
House Swimming Sports
Term One, 2010
Issue Number: 409
Avila College acknowledges the Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of the land on which the College is built.
Avila Matters
Message from the Principal
Busy launch to year
W
elcome back – to 2010, and life at Avila College.
The year has started extremely well and staff have worked
very hard to ensure the smooth transition of our 200 new
Year 7s, and more than 25 additional students at other year
levels from local, interstate and overseas schools.
A jam-packed Term One, as captured in this first edition
of Avila Matters, has seen our students involved in our
Opening Mass, leadership training and forums, Christian
Living and Friendship Days, camps, the Year 12 Formal,
Public Speaking and Debating, Science forums, the launch
of Caritas’ Project Compassion, and the all important
awareness raising and fundraising during the Lenten season.
Added to this, of course, is the excitement of new classes,
new teachers, different subjects, the opportunity to meet
and make new friends, not to mention the stimulation and
challenges of learning.
No two years are ever the same and 2010 has presented
with many opportunities. The roll out of Phase 1 drafts
(English, Maths, History and Science) of the National
Curriculum has staff working hard to audit our current
offerings against the recommendations in each of the listed
subjects to be introduced in 2011, and to then further
develop our Yr 7 -10 curricula.
Ms Gleeson and Mr Phillips inspect the building master plan.
New junior school plans unveiled
M
aster plans have been unveiled for a multi-million dollar building
program at Avila College that will add a long-awaited chapel, new
junior school, and spacious new library to the campus.
Subject to funding, the program is expected to be completed over the
next several years with architects confident the first stage, a new junior
school, will be ready for the new school year in 2011.
Tenders are about to be called for the junior school to be constructed at
an estimated cost of $4 million at the northern end of the playing field,
between the existing junior school and the tennis courts.
The two-storey junior school will feature 16 classrooms, with eight
classrooms on each level, plus an open plan multipurpose area, coThe next stage of our School Improvement Framework will ordinators and special education facilities, a lift and toilets.
see the implementation of our School Improvement Plan,
Its completion will help pave the way for other stages of the master plan:
and the first of our Annual Action Plans, in the five spheres
of Education in Faith; Learning and Teaching; Student
•
The Year 10 block, apart from the commercial kitchen and
Wellbeing; Leadership and Management; and School
dining room area, will be demolished to make way for a two-storey
Community. Across last year, we developed a number of
building with a spacious new library at ground level and eight Year 10
key strategies that will assist us in ‘growing the edges’ at
classrooms upstairs. Year 10s will be accommodated in the old junior
Avila, as well as addressing any concerns presented in the
school during the construction.
final review report.
•
The existing 25-year-old library will be transformed into the
College Chapel.
The commencement of the first of five stages in the
•
The southern end of what will be the old junior school will
College’s facilities master plan will see the building of a
become the Drama Department while the northern end, adjacent to
new junior school. Whilst there will be some disruption
Saint Teresa’s Garden, will be demolished to create more open space.
to parking and movement around the school, I believe the
•
The existing Drama Department above the gymnasium will
final result will be an excellent addition to our campus.
become an extension of the staff room, linked by the overhead walkway.
Avila aims to continue to provide a rich, unique and
Principal, Ms Liz Gleeson, said the master plan was an exciting phase
distinctive learning environment, committed to the
of the College’s history and Avila’s ongoing and forward thinking
education and nurturing of confident, well-adjusted young
commitment to provide the best possible resources and facilities
women. Faith and education are at the core of what we
for students. The new physical facilities will further enhance Avila’s
do, and our holistic approach to education ensures that
reputation as the provider of quality education for young women.
Avila students emerge ready to be active participants in
their world, both in the workforce and as citizens in their
‘The chapel will be a particularly wonderful asset. For many years, staff
community.
and students have identified the need for a dedicated “sacred space” for
prayer and reflection,’ said Ms Gleeson.
We look forward to an exciting year, and encourage all of
our Avila families to join us in the many events held across College Business Manager, Mr Norm Phillips, said the new junior school
2010.
Ms Liz Gleeson, Principal would be self-funded by Avila. It is hoped that the library/Year 10 stage
would be commenced within the next five years, finances permitting
Avila Matters cover
Flipping pancakes to feed the masses on Shrove Tuesday and
raise funds for Project Compassion are Stephanie Richter, Year
9 and Amy Hastings, Year 10. Read more about the launch of
the Caritas
Compassion
campaign at Avila on Page 6.
2 - AvilaProject
Matters
Term 1, 2010
Avila Matters publication
Editor: Sandra Bucovaz
Proof reader: Gerry Delaney
Photography: Jan Janes, Jolenta Kirkwood, Sandra Bucovaz and staff .
Avila’s star performers from left to right, 2009 Drama Captain Stacey Townsend, 2009 College Captain
Caitlyn Petrie, Celeste Pellizzari, Michelle Matta, Cloe Smithett and Felicity Smith. All the girls were
selected for Top Acts with Stacey and Caitlyn progressing to Top Class.
Archbishop Denis Hart with Father
James Wall Bursary recipient Georgia
Harris.
Achievements reflect Avila Way
F
Bursary coup
continues
rom prestigious awards for overall academic excellence and leadership to outstanding 2009
vila is setting quite a
VCE results to being in the cream of the state in Music, Drama, Design and Technology
benchmark with the
and sport , Avila’s reputation as the provider of quality secondary education for young women
Father James Wall Bursary
has been further enforced.
award with Georgia Harris
The exciting and diverse career paths of former students, and the high esteem in which they
becoming the third Avila
hold the College, are further testimony to the Avila Way. So too is the increasing number of
student in as many years to
past students who choose to send their daughters to Avila and who choose to return to the
receive the scholarship.
College as teachers themselves.
The award is presented each
These are just some of the ‘measures’ of our success that are
year to four Year 10 students
highlighted throughout this issue of Avila Matters.
from the Archdiocese of
Melbourne in which there are
In terms of academic and leadership excellence, Georgia
about 70 Catholic secondary
Harris, Year 11, has received two prestigious awards.
schools.
Georgia attended the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars
Program hosted at Melbourne University over the
The award, sponsored by
Summer holidays. Georgia was one of 700 students
the Catholic Development
selected from 1900 applicants based on leadership and
Fund, acknowledges student
academic qualities. Georgia also was a 2009 recipient of
leadership.
the Father James Wall Bursary, the third Avila student in
Emma Steel at Top Sounds.
as many years to receive the award.
The Archbishop of
A
Top Acts and Sounds
Two 2009 Year 12 Drama students have been invited to perform in the Victorian Curriculum
and Assessment Authority’s upcoming Top Class Drama program. Last year’s College
Captain, Caitlyn Petrie, and Drama Captain, Stacey Townsend, will perform their 2009 Solo
Performance examinations to hundreds of Drama students and their teachers at the Melbourne
Recital Centre on April 16 and 17.
Melbourne, the Reverend
Denis Hart, presented
Georgia with her award
during a special function at
the Catholic Education Office
at the end of 2009.
The program is part of the VCAA’s Season of Excellence and showcases the very best
performance exams from the previous year. Six Avila students were asked to audition for a place
in this year’s program. Avila has been represented at Top Class Drama by seven students, four
times in the past six years.
Other Avila recipients are
immediate past College
captain, Caitlyn Petrie who
received the award in 2007
and Nicole Paulding, a 2008
recipient.
In the Music equivalent, 2009 Music Captain, Emma Steel performed in Top Sounds at the
Melbourne Recital Centre on February 26.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 3
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Hard work pays dividends
for 2009 College Dux
T
here is no doubt in Hannah Phillips’ mind that hard work can pay off
– and Hannah should know, she is the 2009 Avila College Dux.
Seventeen-year-old Hannah received a Tertiary Entry Ranking of 99.30.
She was ‘pretty shocked’ by the result because she was aiming for about 92.
Still feeling her way in terms of career directions, Hannah is keeping her
options open by commencing studies for a double degree in Science/Arts
at Monash University, possibly majoring in Physics and Philosophy in the
respective disciplines, and minoring in Chemistry and Creative Writing.
While she currently has a leaning towards Science, Hannah is a bit of a
literary buff and her dream, since Grade 3, is to publish a novel.
In Year 12, Hannah undertook Literature, Physics, Chemistry,
Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. She strongly believes
that completing Biology as a Unit 3/4 subject in Year 11 was one of the
best preparations for her VCE year.
‘A 3 / 4 (VCE) subject is different to studying any other subject. By
undertaking a VCE subject in Year 11, I learned how best to prepare and
approach unit 3 /4 subjects,’ Hannah explained.
In imparting advice to senior students, Hannah said
it was extremely important to not give up if things
do not go according to plan, to stay positive, and
to remember that ‘there’s a light at the end of the
tunnel, but it’s a relief that only comes after doing all
you can; you have to fuel that train with your own
hard work’.
‘There is no doubt about it, VCE is taxing. The
necessary study takes time and energy and you have
to make sacrifices. But, in the end, if you work hard,
you can be surprised by how well you can do,’ said
Hannah, who has a history of academic excellence
including being the recipient of the 2009 Patricia
Ryan Love of Learning Award, 2008 Monash Prize
for Excellence, as well as individual academic awards
over the years. And, just for good measure, Hannah
kicked off her VCE year by gaining her black belt in
Taekwondo.
Hannah paid tribute to the dedication of the Avila
staff both in and beyond the classroom. ‘In year 12
comes the realisation that teachers actually want
you to ask for help outside class,’ Hannah said.
‘Take those opportunities – doing plenty of practice
sacs and exams really shows in your understanding
and results.’ She described Avila as a wonderful
community and believed its friendly and welcoming
atmosphere made it so special.
Now a first year university student, Hannah is
looking forward to taking her love of learning to new
heights and to sharing the next exciting phase of her
life with some of the ‘fantastic, close friends’ she has
made at Avila.
Avila’s well-deserving 2009 College Dux, Hannah Phillips, with
Principal Ms Liz Gleeson.
Note of thanks
Dear Ms Gleeson,
I write this as a very proud father of an exceptional young
woman, Olivia Crapper, who has blossomed while in the care of your school.
I would like you to pass on my thanks to all of the staff who, at one time or
another, have contributed to her development into a confident and loving
person.
We are all celebrating her very pleasing VCE results, which have opened the
doors to so many opportunities at university. Any parent, or teacher, would
be thrilled with such a strong result. It is something in addition, however,
which I wish to convey in my message to you and your school. I wish to
thank you and all of your staff for the superb job of nurturing my daughter,
who has been encouraged to grow into the amazing young woman she is. As
a teacher of 27 years myself, I am cognisant of the awesome responsibilities
of this job and the challenges involved. Your school has done a great job!
I have always been an admirer of the inclusive atmosphere I have sensed
when I have visited your school on parent teacher nights, concerts and
the awards nights I have been able to attend. I am confident when I say
that Avila has lived up to the value expressed in your Mission Statement,
“students learn when they are valued and respected.” I think that the
wonderful film Olivia made for her school friends in Year 12 is testimony,
not only to the generous and courageous young woman she has become,
but also the nourishing experience your school has offered over the years. It
is this she wants to remember and expressed so well. I believe she was saying
thank you to you all.
The opening words of your school hymn “Let nothing frighten you…”
resonate in my imagination when I think of the strong young person to
which your school has made so significant a contribution.
Congratulations and profound thanks from a grateful parent.
Peter Crapper
Mt Eliza Secondary College
Olivia has commenced a Bachelor of Science degree course
at James Cook University, Queenslands, majoring in marine biology.
4 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
2008 ENTER SCORES
Class of 2009
Class of 2009
ROUND 1 TERTIARY PLACEMENTS FOR 2009
70-80
20%
80-90
18%
Class of 2009
RMIT- TAFE
University of
Melbourne
RMIT - University
Box Hill TAFE
other
La Trobe Univers
Monash University
60-70
18%
90+
26%
Swinburne TAFE
Swinburne
University
Victoria University
50-60
11%
Deakin University
William Angliss
less than 50
7%
Holmesglen TAFE
Australian Catholic
University
Nearly half ranked in top 20 per cent of State
T
he Avila community proudly congratulates the 2009 Year 12 graduates - 100% of students successfully completed VCE or VET
and/or VCAL studies. A year of dedicated study and application resulted in exceptional results.
Twenty-six per cent of students undertaking VCE in 2009 achieved an ENTER above 90, with a further 18% achieving a score
between 80 and 90. This means that almost half of our 2009 Year 12 students were ranked in the top 20% of the state.
The Dux of the College was Hannah Phillips who gained an ENTER of 99.3 (see oppose page), and who has now commenced studies
for a combined Arts/Science degree at Monash University. Hannah’s extraordinary achievement was closely followed by Estelle
Griepink, Caitlyn Petrie (College Captain), Sarah Rajah, Stephanie Szabo, Laura Jean, Talisa Trantino, Nikola Prestia, Lucy Nihill
and Amy Duong who were all ranked in the top three per cent in Victoria. Avila’s Principal, Ms Liz Gleeson, presented the Filomena
Salvatore College Dux Award to Hannah at the first whole school assembly in February. Her fellow high achieving students were also
recognised at the school assembly and later addressed current Year 12 students giving them sound advice about successful completion
of Year 12.
A further congratulation is extended to Talisa Trantino who scored a perfect study score of 50 in Design and Technology. Talisa is
now pursuing her dream course, a highly competitive degree in fashion design at RMIT.
The impressive results ensured that Avila students received welcome offers for tertiary studies. Of the cohort of 184 students, 172
received round one offers with 90 students being offered their first preference. These students have taken up studies in diverse fields
across 22 institutions in areas such as law, science, pharmacy, humanities, health professions, education, business and commerce.
Monash University was once again the preferred institution, closely followed by Deakin University, University of Melbourne, RMIT,
La Trobe University and Australian Catholic University.
Success in Year 12 is the culmination of dedicated study throughout secondary education. Students need to establish solid academic
foundations in early years and then build upon
ROUND 1 TERTIARY PLACEMENTS FOR 2009
these foundations with consistent and independent
learning in the senior years.
Mrs Louise Swift
Year 12 Co-ordinator
Creative/ Visual Arts
Engineering
Food, Hospitality, Personal sevices
Career Area
Students at Avila are supported by very experienced,
committed and well qualified teachers who
work collaboratively to deliver excellence across
a wide ranging curriculum. This is coupled with
sound pedagogical practice and encouragement
of independent learning. The end results are
confident, competent and resourceful young women
well equipped to meet the challenges of not only
tertiary study but also the vagaries of adult life.
Architecture & Building
Agriculture, Environment
Society and Culture
Education
Natural & Physical Sciences
Management & Commerce
Health
Information Technology
0
5
10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Number of Students
Graphics prepared from VTAC statistics by Maths teacher, Mrs Carmel Nicolson
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 5
Caritas
Project Compassion launch
A
vila College was greatly privileged
to host the Caritas launch of the Project
Compassion campaign for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne on February 16, Shrove Tuesday.
Caritas is one of the largest aid and development agencies in the world and currently has a presence in more than 165
countries. Its major fundraiser is Project Compassion which is held during the Lenten period in the lead up to Easter.
In 2010, the Project Compassion campaign focuses on the 8 Millennium Development Goals, which are to eradicate
extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women,
reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensure environmental
sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.
In the Avila launch of Caritas’ Project Compassion campaign, World Education Officer for Victoria and Tasmania, Ms
MaryAnne Collins and Caritas volunteer and a former Avila teacher, Miss Lisa Harkins, shared their experiences about
a recent trip to Bangladesh. They explained how Caritas was helping to address many problems such as infant mortality
and child trafficking. Many of the communities they had visited were well aware of the assistance they had received
through Caritas.
‘In one community a woman handed me a warm hard boiled egg as a gift of appreciation for what Caritas had done,’ said
Miss Harkins, adding that the experience was confronting yet very humbling. .
Ms MaryAnne Collins urged the students and families to donate at least $1 a day to Project Compassion as a fifth of the
World’s population survive on less than $1 a day. She showed us that we can really make a change in people’s lives by just
giving up something very small. Both Ms Collins and Miss Harkins impressed us on how lucky each of us was to live in a
country such as Australia and that we have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate.
After the launch students flipped and feasted on hundreds of pancakes to raise money for Project Compassion. The
lunchtime pancake feast had a
special significance as this was a simple way of making a huge impact on the
lives of others.
Neethu Pynadath
Year 11 Liturgy Captain
Pictured clockwise from top
left, Caritas visitors Miss Lisa
Harkin, a former Avila teacher,
and Ms MaryAnne Collins with
Faith Developoment Co-ordinator
Mrs Marie Stuart and Liturgy
Captains Sara Cincotta and Cassie
Valadon; student volunteers wearing
Millennium Goal t-shirts; pancake chefs
and customers.
6 Matters
- Avila Matters
6 - Avila
Term 1, Term
2010 1, 2010
Fire Carrier honour
A
vila College has made
another significant step
in its work towards Reconciliation with Reconciliation Captain,
Beth Corkill being inducted as our first Fire Carrier.
The honour has special significance for Avila where social justice and
Reconciliation have been a strong part of the College culture for many
years. Even more so in 2010 given that Beth is our first Reconciliation
Captain, making the role an official student leadership position.
Beth was formally inducted as the Fire Carrier to represent the Avila
Community during a special smoking ceremony at the Opening of the
Beth Corkill and Amy Tremewen with ‘Aunty Betty Pyke’ who was
School Year Mass on February 18. The ceremony was led by Mrs Vicki
a guest speaker at the Fire Carrier Conference.
Walker Clarke, Co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in
Melbourne and a Mutthi Mutthi woman, and Felicity Oxnam the Promotions Officer for the Opening the Doors Foundation which
launched the Fire Carrier initiative in November 2009.
Vicki was particularly moved by the arrangement of the Aboriginal Our Father by the Avila Music Department at the Opening Mass
because it resonated such deep respect for her people. After mass, Vicki met with Reconciliation Group and explained how it had been
such a battle to have Aboriginal spirituality recognised in Catholic Liturgy and that the Aboriginal Our Father had given them that
recognition. The Aboriginal Our Father was written by the people of the Kimberley and additions were made by communities in the
Santa Teresa area, together with Aboriginal groups in NSW.
Vicki emphasised that Avila was a school in tune with reconciliation and that such acknowledgement had been a huge battle at other
schools. She said Beth and Amy Tremewen, the Year 11 Reconciliation Captain, were now part of a program that would help change
people’s attitudes.
The Fire Carrier initiative, (standing for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education), aims to help schools in Victoria establish
Reconciliation groups and education projects in their school and local communities. Avila is ahead of the game, with a well-established
Reconciliation Group (we are one of the very few schools that has a separate Reconciliation group) and Aboriginal awareness very
much part of ‘The Avila Way’. We have already written a covenant, outlining our achievements and hopes for the future.
Fire Carrier Conference
The day after the Opening Mass, Beth and Amy Tremewen, together with Avila Reconciliation co-ordinators Mrs Christine Valladares
and Miss Darcie Kane-Priestley attended the first Fire Carrier Conference where Mrs Walker Clarke and Ms Oxnam were inspiring
guest speakers, reminding us to keep our roles and aspirations in perspective while being effective in our local communities.
The conference was a very productive day, working both as ‘Team Avila’ and with other schools, discussing what it means to be a Fire
Carrier. With 13 other schools attending, we were able to come up with creative new ideas for fundraisers, the annual Santa Teresa
journey and keeping people interested in Reconciliation, as well as advising other schools on what we have learnt about promoting and
maintaining interest in Australian Aboriginal issues.
If attendance at the lunchtime meetings is an indication then Reconciliation Group will carry on as strong as ever in 2010.
Amy Tremewen Year 11 Reconciliation Group Captain
Fire is at the Heart
of Aboriginal Culture
he gathering of people in a circle
around the fire is for the calling of
people together for cooking, eating and
warmth at night. It is used for smoking
the people and the land when gathered
for important ceremonies. It is around the
fire that stories are told and the law was
taught. Fire is at the heart of Aboriginal
culture. In the Aboriginal community fire
represents the spiritual connection for
the individual to Mother Earth and the
Ancestors. And so it is fire that represents
the learning, teaching and the journey of
all young people towards Reconciliation.
T
Avila’s Fire Carrier, Beth Corkill and Year 11
Reconciliation Captain, Amy Tremewen (far
right) with Avila’s Reconciliation Group.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 7
Faith Development
Let’s Go - Learn more,
do more, be more
O
ne of the most rewarding aspects of my role as the Faith
Development Co-ordinator is to work with our student
leaders.
On the Monday before school commenced, I had the privilege of
working with our 2010 Year 12 leaders as they planned the year
ahead. They took as their motto for the coming year the theme
of ‘2010: Let’s Go – Learn More, Do More, Be More’ which is
an extension of the quote from the inspirational El Salvadorean
bishop, Oscar Romero, who was murdered 30 years ago, who
said ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more.’ The Liturgy
Captains used this theme, adding the words ‘Love More’ as the
theme for our wonderful Opening School Mass. The readings,
the music and the homily by Father Pat Jackson, ’Parish Priest of
St Christopher’s, Syndal, all highlighted the call for each of us
to love others in the way Christ loved others, fully and without
counting the cost.
Archbishop’s conference
A
rchbishop Dennis Hart holds an annual conference for
the youth in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and this year
our College Captain, Marnie Banger, and the Year 12 Liturgy
captains, Sara Cincotta and myself, Cassie Valadon were lucky
enough to take part in this inspirational forum, held at Xavier
College. We shared our thoughts and ideas on the theme of ‘hope’,
and how we, as the adolescents of this modern era, can share this
optimism in our school and local communities. It was a great
privilege to be involved in such a phenomenal experience, and to be
a part of encouraging our faith throughout Melbourne.
Lent is the period of time before Easter where we are called
to reflect and pray about our relationship with our God.
This is also the time at Avila when we support the Caritas
Project Compassion campaign. Caritas is the largest Catholic
international aid organisation working with local agencies in the
Cassie Valadon
developing world. On Pancake Tuesday, Caritas representatives
visited Avila to launch the Project Compassion campaign for the Melbourne Archdiocese. Ms Mary Anne Collins, World Education
Officer for Caritas in Victoria and Tasmania, together with Miss Lisa Harkin, a former teacher at Avila who now works with Caritas,
spoke to an audience of Avila students along with some Grade 6 leaders from Holy Family, Holy Saviour and St Justin’s about the
distribution of wealth and the work of Caritas, especially in the AsianPacific region. We then all shared some pancakes and kicked off our
fund-raising with a collection of $545. There was lots of friendly
rivalry for the rest of the term as each class rallied to help raise more
than $7,000 for Caritas.
Term One can be a daunting time for our new Year 7s, so ‘Friendship
Day at the end of Week 1, is always a great way for them to spend time
with their new classmates and develop friendships.
At the other end of the secondary school journey, our Year 12s spent
time with their class focusing on where they are headed during this
year and beyond. Amidst the very important year for our Year 12s,
Jonathon Doyle, founder and director of Choicez Media specialising their Homeroom/Religious Education teachers will be helping the
in values based sex education, Year 11s from left to right, Danielle
girls think about and reflect upon what values they will take with them
Costello, Jessica Schwarz, and Emma Coman.
when they embark on their life beyond school.
Our Year 8s spent time together at their Christian Living Day at Jell’s Park early in the term. They participated in a range of activities
which focused on the themes of respect, honesty, support forgiveness, trust and justice which underpin our Behaviour Policy, but more
importantly are the key values we live by at Avila.
The Year 11s had a challenging Christian Living Day early in March when they were addressed by author Jonathan Doyle about the
values they choose in their relationships.
As we head into the Easter and end-of-term break, our preparation for Holy Week began with our own Holy Week Liturgy. The
whole student body gathered together for a liturgy which focused on the Stations of the Cross. This was a moving reminder of the
sacred celebration in which we are about to participate.
I wish you all a safe and holy Easter and wish you a happy time with your families.
8 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
Mrs Marie Stuart
Faith Development Co-ordinator
Opening
Mass
A
vila’s 2010Opening of the School
Year Mass on Thursday, February 18 was one of
celebration and symbolism as well as reverence,
prayer and beautiful music.
One of the special highlights of the Mass was the induction of
Beth Corkill as the Avila Fire Carrier by Mrs Vicki Walker Clarke,
Co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. Mrs Walker was
particularly moved by the deep sense of respect for the occasion and
the beautiful rendition of the Aboriginal Our Father by the Avila
Music Department. The Avila community - of 1150 students, about
150 staff and parents and friends and special visitors - was equally
moved by the induction of a Fire Carrier, representing another
positive step toward reconciliation.
In keeping with tradition at the Opening of the School Year Mass,
badges were presented to the 2010 Year 12 leaders.
The Mass, celebrated by Father Pat Jackson, was also a first for our
new Year 7s who have been welcomed into the Avila community. As
a sign of welcome, our Year 12 Sports captains presented six Year 7
students with gifts which represented the 2010 theme of ‘Do More,
Learn More and Be More’.
A clock and netball were given as a symbol of doing more in
the time you have, as well as getting involved within the Avila
community. A mirror and bible were given to represent the things
that the Year 7s will learn about their faith and themselves especially
during their time at Avila.
A Caritas box and a Peer Helper smile were presented to encourage
all Year 7s to help those in need, and also recognise that there is
always help around, especially in the Avila community.
It was a beautiful Mass and definitely a great way to start off the New
Year at Avila.
Sara Cincotta
Yea 12 Liturgy Captain
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 9
Peer Support Program 2010
T
hroughout Term One, 31 Year 10 students have been working with the Year 7s in
small groups as part of the Avila Peer Support Program.
Each Thursday, using food treats as an added bribe, we encouraged the Year 7s discuss
delicate issues such as making new friends, facing conflicts and getting used to the Avila
way of life, to help ease the transition from primary school to secondary school.
Pictured from L-R, Shanaya Rupesinghe, Peer
Supporters Siobhan Mullen and Lisa Lentini,
Teagan Goh and Chloe Di Mieri.
As Year 10s, we can still remember the daunting feeling of starting at a new school; but it
was with the help of our Peer Support Leaders that we were able to figure out those pesky
locks, our way around the school and who to turn to for help. It was those Peer Support
Leaders who introduced us to the people who are now our friends for life. Becoming Peer
Support Leaders ourselves was simply our
way of saying thank you and giving back to
WHAT SOME YEAR 7s
HAD TO SAY:
the Avila community, helping to continue
the tradition of welcoming new students and • Peer Support sessions are good fun!
• We get to meet kids from other Year 7
helping them to feel at home at Avila.
It’s been a wonderful experience and a great
privilege to help the Year 7s through this
nerve-wracking time and into the community that will be their other “home” for the
next six years. We would like to thank Ms Di
Brebner, the Avila Chaplain, for giving us her
time to make this program easy to lead and
even more enjoyable for us as well.
•
•
•
Classes and make new friends.
The Year 10 leaders are nice; they try
to help us to fit in to Avila.
I like being able to talk about other
things than school work.
It’s nice seeing the Year 10s around the
school; they know my name and that
makes me feel good.
Sarah Genovese, Lisa Lentini and Karlie Mascetta, Peer Support Leaders 2010
Pictured from L-R, Mirella Cuda, Peer Supporter
Monique Di Mieri, Lily Venter, Peer Helper Sarah
Bradwell.
Peer Support has a long tradition at Avila College. It is a great way for Year 10 students
to take leadership roles and show initiative in welcoming the new Year 7s into what can
seem, for many students who have come from much smaller primary schools,
a somewhat daunting experience. Along with the Peer Helpers, the Peer Support Leaders work hard to help the Year 7s to feel at home, to find their way
around Avila, have some fun making new friends and to know that they, too,
are an important part of our community. It is a delight to see the enthusiasm of the Year 10 students in taking on these valuable roles, and each year,
continuing the welcoming process. May the 2010 Year 7 students always feel
welcome, supported, at home and happy at Avila.
Di Brebner, Avila College Chaplain
Pictured from L-R, Ella Taylor, Shahili Stephan, Ruby Niarros with Peer
Supporters Amelia Pace and Rebecca Connors.
Red Cross door knockers raise almost $3000
O
ne of the many Student Representative Council (SRC) initiatives at Avila College is to reach
out to the community and, where possible, provide support. So it was wonderful to see 58
students from across all year levels take part in the 2010 Red Cross Door Knock on March 13.
The students gave up their Sunday morning to don the College uniform and head out to raise funds
for this worthy cause. Our students were warmly welcomed by the people of Mount Waverley and
the girls raised nearly $3000.
The College is very proud of the girls’ preparedness to represent Avila College in the community
and a special thanks goes to the many senior students who took time out of their busy schedules to
participate. Several members of staff also generously gave their time to drive the girls to their fund
raising area and the College is very grateful for their assistance.
Congratulations to all involved and it is encouraging to see our students live out this year’s College
motto ... Do More, Learn More, Be More.
10 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
Christine Kralj Red Cross Doorknockers Malindi
Deputy Principal - Wellbeing Gunasekara and Lucy Moon.
Peer Helpers
out in force
T
he bright pink smiley
faces are back with the 2010 Year
10 Peer Helpers out in force. And what a busy
first term we have had.
Our year’s work began with an early wake up
call on one of the last precious school holiday
days. But with excitement and joy we were
up and rearing to go for training day. Here
we learnt all the tools of the trade from our
amazing mentor and guru, Mrs Helen Tillinh
and the girls who had done it all before; the
Year 12 Peer Helpers. It was a day of fun
but very much a learning experience which
we will take with us through our helping
journeys.
The newly trained Peer Helpers went into
action for the first time to greet the Year 7s
Avila’s 2010 Peer Helpers
on their first day. There were many nervous
and anxious, yet at the same time, enthusiastic and eager faces, and a lot of sad yet happy parents with boxes of
books and flip files. But luckily the Peer Helpers were there to lend a helping hand wherever possible. We took
the Year 7s to their homerooms, settled them in and gave them the little extra bit of assurance they needed.
Then it was time to say goodbye to mum and dad and they were in high school for the very first time. Next
were the infamous combination locks, timetables and locker numbers which brought memories flooding back for us Year
10s. It was still a challenge remembering how to work the locker combinations!
The next big event was Friendship Day – a fun and interactive day for the Year 7s. It was all about learning names, finding common
interests and learning about what it really means to be a friend. With a few wacky role plays thrown in by we Peer Helpers and
constructing some incredible friendship boxes and snazzy glasses, it was a great day.
Currently, every Thursday lunch-time, the Peer Helpers are
outside the Dining Room playing the old favourites skipping
and elastics. We invite everyone to join, but especially the Year
7s. It is a great way to take a break from the classroom stresses
and have a bit of fun. You may even be lucky enough to catch
one of the teachers having a skip on their way through to their
lunch break.
While wandering through the Year 7 corridors, you may have
noticed the bright and dazzling displays of photos which were
put up by some of the very artistic Peer Helpers. We have also
rejuvenated the Peer Helper noticeboards. And we have plenty
of wonderful plans for the year – a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a Pink
Cake Stall and Smile Day, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
And of course the fast approaching Year 7 Camp. The Peer
Helpers absolutely cannot wait until camp – it’s like we are in
Year 7 too!
We have a big year ahead of us filled with exiting events and
activities and we are thrilled to be a part of such a magnificent
group, with the help from our fabulous leader and adviser,
Helen.
Look out for the Peer Helpers around the school with their
pink badges and also be alert for upcoming events regarding the
Peer Helper team… you are in for some fabulous fun!
Courtney Ager, 10 Gold
2,0,1,0: Let’s go, Learn more, Do more, Be More
T
his is the theme that the Year 12 Leaders have devised for
2010 based on Oscar Romero’s famous quotation to ‘Aspire
not to have more, but to be more’.
Already this year the student leaders have brought their theme to
life. The first whole school assembly on February 9 saw the Year 12
leaders introduce themselves and this year’s theme to the school
and we all enjoyed a sensational first whole school address from
School Captain Marnie Banger.
Then the Liturgy Captains got to work on the Opening of School
Mass for February 18. This mass was truly moving, especially
the witnessing of the Fire Carrier Ceremony to introduce Beth
Corkill as Avila’s first Reconciliation Captain.
February 15 was a big day for the student leaders as all leaders
from years 8-12 gathered together for 2010’s first leader’s seminar.
This was a day to get to know each other and plan all the exciting
activities and events for 2010.
I know that I am really looking forward to seeing these plans come
to fruition in such activities as Creative Arts, Sports Carnivals and
in fund-raising. So in 2, 0, 1, 0 Let’s Go!
Karis Dalton,
Leadership Co-ordinator
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 11
Lions Youth of
the Year 2010
A
vila College was represented
at the 2010 Lions Youth of
the Year competition by
Georgia Harris, Year 11, and Marnie Banger, Year 12.
Avila students with Nobel laureate, Professor Elizabeth Blackburn at Monash University
Women in research - achieving it
T
wenty-seven of our senior Science students (Years 10-12) had the privilege of
attending the Women in Research forum held at Monash University on Thursday,
March 4.
This was an extraordinary forum in that so many elite scientists were present, both on the
panel and in the audience.
The keynote speaker was Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, our first female Nobel laureate
and only the 11th Australian to have been awarded the Nobel prize. In her address,
Professor Blackburn noted that, whilst there is a steady supply of female scientists
entering research, many did not continue due to family pressures, despite the fact that a
woman’s scientific career can last for four decades or more. Those that continue, however,
have achieved equally highly with their male counterparts.
Other elite scientists on the panel included Chief Scientist for Australia, Prof. Penny
Sackett, the chief executive officer of the CSIRO, Doctor Megan Clarke, and worldleading geneticist, Professor Kim Cornish. These women spoke of their own career paths
and passionately asserted that research was the best possible career they could imagine.
The forum was chaired by Deputy Speaker Ms Anna Burke, M.P
Both were impressive competitors
with Georgie being the holder
of the Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship and the Father Wall Bursary
Achievement Leadership
Award. Marnie, our College
Captain, brought with her fantastic
results from Year 11 and her experience of working with the Leadership Team of the College.
Marnie was successful in winning
the Public Speaking Award after
delivering an impressive speech
on the new relationship between
China and developing countries
that is impacting on world forums;
and going on to deliver an impromptu speech which the judge
said the only word to describe it
was, ‘Wow’! Congratulations
Marnie.
Welcome to
new staff
Dr Sue Liston
Head of Science
Mr John Beekhof
Religious Education
Co-ordinator
Some of our student ambassadors with some of the prospective families at the February Information Sessions, from left to right, Cassie Garner, Year 8, Rochelle Noveloso, Year 12, and new Year 7
Machel Tamani, together with Desley Ratnam, Year 10.
Students impress prospective families
O
ur students are our greatest ambassadors, a fact regularly reinforced by the feedback from
families attending College Information Sessions.
Student-led tours are one of the key features of the Information Sessions and parents of prospective
students frequently comment on the wonderful way in which our girls conduct themselves. The
first round of sessions for 2010 was no exception with many favourable comments about the more
than 70 students from across all year levels who gave up part of their Saturday to help show a total
of about 600 visitors around the campus.
12 -- Avila
Avila Matters
Matters Term
Term 1,
1, 2010
2010
12
Miss Lauren Stute
Science & VCE Ag/Hort
(Lauren is a past
Avila student.)
Trailwalkers stepping out for Oxfam
F
our Avila teachers are putting their best feet
forward - for 100 km - to raise funds for Oxfam.
‘Team Avila’ - aka Meg Gilfedder, Steven Frances,
Allan Kennedy and Sarah Macdonald - have been
training hard to participate in the annual Melbourne
Oxfam Trailwalker on the weekend of April 16 and
17.
Known as the world’s greatest team challenge, and one
of the toughest, participants are required to complete
the 100km Trailwalker course within 48 hours. Team
members must start together, stay together and finish
together.
The event is a major fundraising activity for Oxfam
Australia, providing vital funds to support some of the
world’s poorest people through aid and development ‘Team Avila’ from left to right, Sarah Macdonald, Meg Gilfedder, Allan Kennedy
and Steven Francis is confident of meeting the fundraising and physical challenge
work in more than 28 countries.
of the 2010 Oxfam Trailwalker.
‘Oxfam Trailwalker’ is not just physically demanding but it’s also a fundraising challenge,’ Sarah Macdonald said.
‘By taking part in the event, “Team Avila” committed to raising at least $3,000. A morning tea held for the Avila staff
guaranteed the target was generously met.’
If anyone would like to donate to ‘Team Avila’ or follow their blog, visit http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/Melbourne/
team/764.
B
Staff newlyweds
ishop Tim Costelloe, SDP, officiated at the wedding of John Rhynehart and
Teresa Wilson on January 9.
The couple married at St John’s Catholic Church, Clifton Hill and the reception
followed at the Kew Boat House.
Mr Rhynehart described his wedding day as ‘fantastic’.
A
love of Science was the catalyst
for the marriage of Johanna de
Leon and Raul Chavez at St John the
Baptist Church, Ferntree Gully, on
September 24.
Johanna, who teaches Science,
Biology and Religious Education at
Avila, and Raul met while
undertaking studies for their
Science degrees at Monash
University.
Following their wedding,
with many Avila staff at
the ceremony, the couple
honeymooned in Fiji.
H
aving spent four years living and working in England, Lisa Manning-Cox
met her English husband-to-be within three days of setting foot back on
Australian soil. The couple met while independently exploring Central Australia.
Following their wedding at White Chapel, Langwarrin on December 19. Lisa
and her husband Oliver Antrobus continued to share their love of travel with a
honeymoon in Malaysia and Borneo.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 13
Pictured from left to right with their daughters are Catherine Meale (Class of 1981)
and Susannah Meale; AnneMarie Hope (nee Davis, Class of 1979) and twins Jorja
and Sian; Mary Sheehan (nee Giling, Class of 1980) and Jade; Maria ConstanzoVecchio (nee Constanzo, Class of 1978) and Stephanie; and Joanne McKenzie-McHarg
(nee Kelly, Class of 1977) and Bridget.
R
Avila tradition
eflecting the reputation Avila College enjoys within the community,
15 of our new Year 7 intake are the daughters of past students.
Avila College was established in 1965 by the parishes of Mount Waverley,
Glen Waverley, Syndal, Mulgrave and Jordanville with the Presentation
Sisters accepting the challenging invitation to administer a Catholic college
committed to the education of young women.
From 110 students in 1965, Avila now boasts a student population of about
1150. Avila’s coming-of-age in recent years has been highlighted by the
increasing number of past students sending their daughters to the College.
14 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
14 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
Pictured from left to right with their daughters are Kerrin Keily (nee Thatcher, Class
of 1982) and Tegan; Annette Hirst (nee Mitchell, Class of 1985) and Anjee; Joanne
Le Sueur (nee Clarke, Class of 1983) and Stephanie; Cathie Hanna (nee Tell, Class of
1983) and Isabelle; Helen Selwood (nee Schmidt, Class of 1973) and Emma; Louise
Davison (nee Dee, Class of 1982) and Brittany.
T
New Year 7s ‘Go for it’
here was a definite buzz of excitement in the air in the Junior Corridor on February 1
with the start of 200 very excited, and perhaps a little nervous, Year 7s.
The 2010 Year 7s have taken on the challenge of starting secondary school with gusto and
are settling in well. The girls are fast refining their padlock opening skills, they are able
to negotiate their way around the school grounds with ease and now know how to get
to and from classes without bells. They have also experienced their first whole school
Mass, a whole school assembly and year level assemblies. Our new Year 7s are quickly
becoming part of the Avila community.
The Year 7s have also attended special Year 7events such as Friendship Day, where
they develop their friendship skills through role-plays and games. They have also
participated in Swimming Day and Thursday lunchtime games, which have further helped
foster new friendships.
During General Studies and Religious Education the Year 7s have been learning about
the history of Avila College and of Saint Teresa of Avila, the Presentation Sisters and their
Sports Houses. They have had the chance to visit the library and have seen first hand
some of Avila’s archives.
The theme for the year is to ‘Go for it’! The girls are certainly embracing this and have
already joined many extra curricular activities, such as house sports, drama club,
music and computer club. What a wonderful start to the year and to secondary
school life!
Well done, Year 7!
Mrs Tanya Induni
Year 7 Co-ordinator
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 15
Japanese students
enjoy Avila stay
T
wo Japanese exchange students, Sayaka
Marumoto and Yoko Honda, joined the Avila
community for Term One.
They stayed with the family of Nicola Masters of Year
8 Orange, attended classes at Avila and also played
tourist during their stay.
Sayaka and Yoko, who had never traveled outside
of Japan before, enjoyed the experience greatly.
They noted that Avila students participated in class
discussions and were far more interactive than their
peers in Japan; and that Melbourne’s temperature
was much hotter than they expected.
Exchange student host, Nicola Masters with Japanese visitors, Sayaka Marumoto
(left) and Yoko Honda.
Sayaka, who would like to work in airport services, and Yoko, who would like to be a radio technician, provided the
following report: ‘We are both 19 years old and come from Kagoshima, Japan. We have been studying English for seven
years and are in the English Department at Immaculate Heart College, a women’s college. We came to Australia to improve
our spoken English. In Japan, we live in the college dormitory: every first grade student must live there with native teachers
to study spoken English. We really enjoy living in the dormitory and cultivating our friendship with our friends.
In Australia we stayed with Nicola Masters, Year 8 Orange, and her family. They are a family of five and they all get along
very well. Tony, the father, likes football and sometimes we watched the football on television with him. Wendy, the
mother, is very kind. She likes animals and chatted with us every day. We helped her cook and loved her frittatas especially.
Nicola’s brother studies Japanese at school. He speaks Japanese well.
Year 8s quiz visitors
On Wednesday February 17 two brave and well-educated nineteen-year-old
girls from Immaculate Heart College, Japan, sat down and answered 8 Silver’s
investigative questions about how life differs in Japan. Half of this Year 8
English class from Avila College interviewed Yoko Honda.
Yoko lives with her parents, older brother, dog and cat in their house in
Kagoshima. She’s an active girls, not dissimilar to an Australian teenager, who
likes to play volleyball and tennis, and in her spare time, listen to Japanese hip
hop and watch TV. To relax, she reads fashion magazines and hangs out with
friends.
Monday to Friday, Yoko travels by train to school. Similar to Avila, school
starts at 8:30am, but it finishes considerably later at 6:30pm. During the day,
Yoko looks forward to studying Japanese History and English even though she
finds English challenging. Once she arrives home, Yoko’s expected to do at least
two hours of homework each night.
Yoko arrived in Australia for the first time on Sunday February 14 and so far,
her first week has been one of adjusting to the Australian lifestyle. Whilst
residing at Nicole Master’s family home, she has discovered that the bathing
process in Australia differs significantly. Her taste buds were challenged
when she sampled some Vegemite for the first time. Yoko has had to become
accustomed to eating cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch, instead of
miso soup, rice and Japanese white noodles for the respective meals.
Her time Down Under ends in just a few short weeks, but Avila hopes she will
enjoy every second of her stay.
Madeleine Heyn
16 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
The family has two dogs, a cat, a
lizard and a snake. They are so cute.’
Nicola said it was fun hosting the
Japanese students and learning
about their way of life and customs.
She said her brother particularly
enjoyed their help with his Japanese
homework!
Nicola’s mum, Wendy, said that
hosting Sayaka and Yoko was a
wonderful opportunity for her
family, and particularly her children,
to gain a greater appreciation for a
very different culture.
Mr Paul Ekers, who co-ordinates
the exchange student visits, echoed
Mrs Masters’ comments. He said
the cultural exchange and new
friendships were most rewarding for
all involved.
Avila regularly has Japanese students
visiting in February/March each
year. Anyone interested in hosting a
Japanese student in 2011 is invited to
contact Mr Ekers on 9831 9600.
Boori works spins
his
A
uthor and ambassador for
Reconciliation Boori Pryor enjoys
a longstanding relationship with Avila
and continues to entertain the students
with his stories of childhood in Northern
Queensland in a large Catholic family
(Boori’s dad was the first Aboriginal
Catholic Deacon).
Boori had the Year 7s laughing
uncontrollably as he told them about
sibling rivalry, his relationship with his pet
frog and his love of mischief. Underlying
his stories were important messages about
parental wisdom, overcoming fear, and the
importance of having a relationship with nature.
Author Boori Pryor with some of his Year 7 fan club.
Boori is about to release a new book October. He shared the story and the artwork with the students and spoke of the process
of developing a book for publication. In the story there is reference to traditional dancing and Boori taught the students this
dance and its message as he played the didjeridoo.
In her thankyou, Sophia Elliott spoke of Boori’s ability to make his stories come alive.
Mrs Christine Valladares
Reconciliation Co-ordinator
Hayley joins Prank Patrol
A
t just 14, the future is looking bright for aspiring actor
and comedian Hayley Tait who was one of the stars of
a recent ABC3 Prank Patrol series.
Hayley, a Creative Arts and Year 10 Drama Festival
veteran, was among the 30 young performers selected
from hundreds of applicants to be in the series which
was screened earlier in the year.
Not only did Hayley have her time in front of the
camera, but she also experienced how television
shows are produced from auditioning and casting stage to the planning and working with the
cameraman, sound technician and director.
‘We worked solidly for eight hours a day
for three days,’ said the Year 9 student who
found the experience sealed her desire
to study at the Victorian College of the
Arts or NIDA to become a professional
actor.
Hay
ley a
nd h
er u
nwit
The experience was the perfect outlet for Hayley’s love of drama,
bubbly personality and sense of fun.
ting
co-s
tar L
ucy
with
one
of th
e Pr
ank
Patr
ol p
For her part, Hayley had to invite a friend to audition for a play but unbeknown to the
rese
nter
s.
friend, a ghost had been written into the script. Hayley and the crew had to carry off the prank during filming in a studio and also outside the Palais Theatre and inside the Tivoli.
‘With the help of special effects, we really had my friend Lucy believe there was a ghost,’ said Hayley, adding that Lucy
shared in the hilarity when all was revealed.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 17
Year 12 Formal
College hosted its Year 12 Senior Formal at the Brighton
Avila
International on Friday, February 12.
Everyone made the most of the opportunity to dress up and strut their
stuff. Many lessons were learned at last year’s Year 11 Formal and
all students and guests were elegant and sophisticated in their formal
attire.
The venue looked wonderful and the three course meal was delicious.
It didn’t take long for us all to kick off our high shoes and hit the dance
floor. A few golden oldies songs from the 1980s had the teachers up
and on their feet with some of them busting a few interesting moves!
The night was a great celebration of the friendship and respect our
year level has for one another and the whole evening had a positive and
fun vibe to it.
Apart from enjoying a great evening the Year 12 VCAL class did
most of the organising for the event. We now know how frustrating it
is when people do not bring back forms on time or change their mind
(or partner) at the last minute. Seating more than 300 people, making
invitations from scratch and liaising with administration staff
at school and the venue has taught us invaluable event
management skills. Thanks to the venue and teachers who
make the event possible. Work is now underway for the
Year 11 Formal.
Sarah Wellington, Year 12 VCAL class
18 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
18 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
P
Vote 1 for Jill
arty politics and paparazzi
puff aside,
if Jill Hennessy’s track record of trying to make the
world a better place is anything to go by, the newly
sworn in politician is destined to achieve great things.
Even as a teenager the past Avila student and Public Speaking
Captain had a strong social conscience and firm values and knew
that if she wanted to effect change, she needed to position herself
to do so. She is already well on her way with an impressive legal
and political career and wider community service … one of her
most recent and widely publicised coups was her election to
State Parliament as the Labor representative for Altona.
The Class of 1989 graduate’s legal and political background is
underpinned by her passion for social issues and equality and Past student and ambitious politician Jill Hennessy with her husband,
Bernie and their children Lily and Ginger.
justice. A mother of two young daughters, family is extremely
important and so too is the need for greater equality for women in terms of professional opportunities and remuneration and
having a more equal voice in the political and corporate decisions that shape our world.
Ask those who knew Jill from her younger years, and they will say that she was always destined to make her mark ... At just 16, she
joined the ALP and in 1997 she became the youngest Victorian ALP President.
With a Law Degree from Monash University and a Masters of International and Public Law and having worked as a solicitor with
Holding Redlich, Jill quickly and steadily progressed to the government arena, working as a manager in local government before
becoming advisor and then director of administration for former Premier Steve Bracks.
In terms of achievements, Jill is quick to qualify that there is usually a team effort involved. In law, she worked on many
equal opportunity cases so that people could be treated ‘fairly and with dignity’ as well as specialising in personal injury and
employment law. Her political highlights include chairing Steve Bracks’s election campaign committee when he became Premier
and of course her own recent election. In 2002 Jill traveled to the United States for a US political fellowship as a guest of the US
Government.
Jill’s community involvements have ranged from helping St Vinnies and Rosies, run by the Oblate Brothers, to provide food and
support for the homeless to volunteer advisor at the Springvale Legal Service to serving on the board Amnesty International
Australia. She was also on the Board of Western Region Health Services as Chair of the Victorian Working Families Council.
Jill is also a strong supporter of Emily’s List, an organisation specifically formed to give encouragement and financial support for
women keen to enter politics. She herself has been taken under the wing by the likes of Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and
former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner.
p
a
s
t
s
t
u
d
e
n
t
As a student at Avila, Jill was studious. She connected with the College community and broadened her horizons by making the
most of the extra curricular opportunities ranging from social justice groups to drama and music.
‘Avila enhanced my commitment to social justice and community involvement,’ Jill said.
‘…There were a number of teachers who encouraged us to be deep thinkers and to see the world from a fair and just perspective,’
recalled Jill, adding that she was particularly inspired by strong female role models like (long serving teachers) Mrs Anne
Vadiveloo and Mrs Pat Hall who were the founding ‘aunties’ of the Reconciliation movement at Avila and helped nurture the
‘(girls) can do’ philosophy which is so much a part of the Avila spirit.
According to Jill, Avila’s culture of tolerance and inclusiveness was unique. Also, students were empowered by the belief that they
could achieve anything they worked towards … Jill continues to work hard to make the world a better place, mindful that ‘change
takes time and requires good leadership’.
Jill described her time at Avila as ‘a lot of fun’ with a great circle of life-long friends who have continued to keep her well
grounded, particularly during the political whirlwind of the past few months.
Despite Jill’s demanding career and ambitions, her family is her number one priority. She said one of her greatest challenges will be
to maintain a healthy balance, and to be there for her daughters, Lily and Ginger, who are 5 and 3 respectively, and destined to be
part of the next generation of women who will be able to draw on the work of people like their mother to help make the world a
more equitable place for all.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 19
n
e
w
s
Private chef in Italy turns teacher
N
ever in her wildest dreams did Ciar Foster think she would
p
a
s
t
s
t
u
d
e
n
t
n
e
w
s
one day be living and working in Rome as the private chef to Amanda Vanstone,
Australia’s Ambassador in Italy.
In fact, never in her wildest dreams did Ciar think her career path would see her switch from
double degree studies in Arts and Economics to completing an Arts Degree majoring in English
Literature and Politics, to qualifying as a chef and working in Italy as well as Melbourne, Perth and
Sydney, and then to become a secondary school English teacher.
Ciar and the Ambassador.
However, the Class of 1996 graduate is a person of multiple talents and someone who believes in
keeping an open mind to pursue her dreams. She attributes some of her determination to her time
at Avila, ‘an incredibly supportive environment with many strong women telling us we could do
anything we wanted and worked towards’.
At university, Ciar supported herself with part-time café work. Upon completing her degree, she contemplated further study
such as an Honours degree or post graduate course but decided to take a year off instead. She decided to do a commercial
cookery course so she could earn more money while still a student. She enjoyed the cooking so much that once she completed
her degree, she decided to take up an apprenticeship with Andrew McConnell of Dining Room 211 fame. After stints in
Sydney and Perth and through industry contacts, she landed the job as private chef to Amanda Vanstone during her first year as
Australian Ambassador to Italy in 2008.
‘It was a fantastic experience. I was the only chef so I planned everything for functions catering for as many people as 300. We
had dinner parties with people like Cardinal George Pell and also entertained delegates from the Italian Soccer Federation and
for Australia Day,’ said Ciar who thrived on the mix of creativity and structure that cheffing offers.
‘I loved the lifestyle in Rome and shopping in the local markets … the local seasonal produce was just amazing … There was also a
wonderful sense of community in Rome. I picked up a bit of Italian but I really regretted not keeping up languages at school.’
Ciar had an option to remain in Rome at the end of her 12-month contract but decided to return to Australia because she was
becoming restless for a new challenge. Not one to be complacent, Ciar completed her Diploma in Education last year and is now
teaching English at Sandringham Secondary College.
‘I was drawn to teaching because I believe in education and how important it is and I had such a positive experience myself
at school. I am really enjoying sharing my passion for education, and English, with young people,’ said Ciar who was heavily
involved in debating during her student days at Avila and in Year 12 was chosen as a representative on the Victorian Schools
Debating Team.
No doubt Ciar’s drive and determination, love of a challenge and adventurous spirit will inspire her students to follow their
interests and dreams in finding fulfilling career paths.
Rewarding time in Cambodia
eaching English as a volunteer in Cambodia
T
has been one of the most rewarding experiences to date for past
student Bianca Trollope (nee Miranda, Class of 1997).
Bianca and her husband, Brett, taught English at an orphanage (see
picture) and also at a hospitality training school. They also supplied a
water pump and clothing and blankets for the children with money raised
by students at Mount Scopus Memorial College where they were both
teachers at the time.
‘English is a ticket to independence particularly for the young girls at
the hospitality school because if they are able to get employment in the
hospitality/tourism industry they can support themselves and their families,’ said Bianca, adding that the students were mainly
from disadvantaged backgrounds, coming from families earning less than US$300 a year. ‘It was so rewarding to help make such a
positive difference and everyone at the orphanage and hospitality school was so appreciative.’
Bianca, who is expecting the couple’s first child and is on maternity leave from her current position as Head of Science at The
King David School, said that she and her husband would like to return for an extended period some time in the future. Their
experience has also inspired some of their friends to work as volunteers in Cambodia. With a passion for education, as well as her
natural love of learning and challenge, Bianca is currently undertaking her Masters of Education and basing her thesis research on
Leadership in Science Education.
20 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010
Finding the funny fuels comedic career
L
ook for the ridiculous in everything and you will find it ….
This phrase scribbled on a classroom blackboard at Avila College back in the early 1990s
has had quite a profound impact on successful comedian, radio broadcaster and author, Terri
Psiakis who was in Year 9 at the time.
‘It is what I base my material on, “finding the funny” in the every day,’ said Terri, who described humour and
comedy and the ability to laugh as a wonderful coping mechanism.
It is not surprising Terri often pinches herself about the way her career has taken shape, and laughs herself at
the absurdity of earning a living from having, and poking, a lot of fun.
At just 32, she has an impressive curriculum vitae which is not bad at all for someone who readily confesses
she was very stressed in Year 12 because she had no idea what she wanted to do. Terri’s work history includes
prime time stints on national radio, performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the launching last
year of her first book, Tying the Knot Without Doing Your Block. One of her greatest career highlights was
co-hosting two successive summertime shows on Triple J with English comedian Ross Noble, considered to
be one of the top comedians in the world. Her first ‘serious’ job was script writing for Rove.
Currently on a semi sabbatical caring for her six-month old daughter
Ella – once the baby is settled for the evening, Terri is often penning
scripts until the early hours of the morning, Terri fondly recalls her
Avila experiences and how they helped shaped who she is today. She also
treasures her tight Avila friendship group with whom she is in regular
contact.
‘Avila was such an encouraging and inspiring environment. Students
were encouraged to pursue their passions and have a go,’ Terri said.
And that is exactly what she did: ‘My first stand-up experience was at the
Creative Arts Festival when I was in Year 8 …I was involved in House
drama as a performer and then a director … I was in public speaking and
debating which helped give me the confidence to stand up in front of an
audience …I was one of the school magazine editors which I loved …I
loved English and writing and can remember Mrs Chris Dalwood who
was such a wonderful teacher …Mrs Anne Vadiveloo and Mrs Adèle
Morice were always there to spur us on …’
Comedian, radio broadcaster, author and
mother, Terri Psiakis with baby Ella.
It was at Avila that Terri enjoyed her first taste of broadcasting when she and
fellow student Naomi Murphy launched an Avila radio station. From a small room near the old gymnasium,
and complete with specially purchased equipment, the two girls broadcast music and radio sketches at
lunchtimes.
Not knowing where she was headed, Terri completed an Arts Degree, majoring in English and Indonesian,
at Monash University and a Master of Arts/Communications at RMIT. Ironically it was whilst supporting
herself with stand-up gigs on the pub comedy circuit that Terri was ‘discovered’ – she was invited to join
the script writing team for Rove where she remained for eight years. She has since progressed to radio
presenting, performing stand-up at the Comedy Festival and publishing a book.
Terri draws from her own life for her material, from being single, to meeting her husband who she refers to as
‘The Bloke’ in her work, and planning her wedding. The arrival of Ella in October 2010 has opened up a rich
new world of ideas.
‘One of the biggest challenges is to talk about the people I love without offending them in any way,’ said Terri
who comes from a family of storytellers and can remember as a child sitting around the dinner table listening
to the adults crafting their tales.
For Terri, the greatest reward working in comedy is to bring pleasure to others, to provide a tonic for the soul
by turning the ordinary into something extraordinary, something extraordinarily funny, that makes people
laugh, and even reflect and view their lives from another perspective.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 21
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Surf camp
Surf Camp was a fun experience.
Our activities included three surf lessons
in large and small waves, a bush walk,
reef studies and snorkelling. Some were
in beautiful envrionments. Our camp site
was good and we had lots of fun on the
jumping pillow whenever we could.
Maddy Murphy
Bush camp
Bush Camp was an amazing
experience, even though it was
a 35km walk without showers.
The views were breathtaking and
looking back, our walk was a great
achievement. Although it was tough,
we all pushed past it and kept our
spirits high.
Carla De Losa
Liana Baviello
Rockclimbing camp
Mount Arapiles is a beautiful place and
our four days there were full to the brim
with adrenalin-pumping rockclimbing,
fun, excitement and exhaustion. Everybody came together as a group and helped
each other get to the top of each climb.
Mount Arapiles camp was so much fun, I
would gladly go back and do it all again.
Darcy Morris
Bimbi Park camp was filled with excitement, enthusiasm and a whole lot of
screaming... One of the most popular
activities was the surf kayak because the
seals were so curious about what we were
doing. The most annoying part of camp
was sleeping in tents with koala’s all
around making lots of noises during the
night and first thing in the morning.
Bush camp
Tahlia Holsinger
Surf camp Bimbi Park camp Rockclimbing camp
Bimbi Park camp
Surf camp Bimbi Park camp Rockclimbing camp Bush camp
Surf camp Bimbi Park camp Rockclimbing camp
Bush camp
Surf camp Bimbi Park camp Rockclimbing camp Bush camp
Year 9 camp Year 9 camp Year 9 camp Year 9 camp Year 9 camp
Year 9 camp Year 9 camp Year 9 camp Year 9 camp Year 9
Point Leo action
Y
ear 8s enjoyed plenty of action at Point
Leo for a beach safety excursion in
February. The day involved eight different
activities, five in water and three on land.
Our trained instructors from Lifesaving
Victoria and teachers helped us get the
best out of our day. Everyone had fun and
learned so much.
Emily-Jane Howley and Sophie Salvitti
New spin on basketball
V
CE students studying Physical Education Unit 3
gained a different perspective on sport when they
were visited by Andrew from Wheeltalk Victoria. Whilst
they enjoyed their taste of wheelchair basketball they
soon realised the intense level of physical effort required.
Set to make
big splash
Indoor/outdoor
soccer success
K
ate Fotopoulos is
carving quite a name
for herself in both outdoor
and indoor (futsal) soccer.
Earlier this year, Kate,
14, was selected for the
under 14 national team
Kate Fotopoulos
and recently was awarded
a coveted full scholarship into the National Training Centre’s
junior program. Kate, who is in Year 9, trains up to 13 hours a
week at the NTC.
D
istance swimmer and Year 8
student, Holly Dever, hopes
that up to 17-hours a week of
training will pay off one day with
selection to represent Australia in
the Olympics.
Holly Dever
Holly, 13, is already reaping rewards from her commitment,
having recently gained fifth place in the open water nationals
at Nagambie. Her time of 65 minutes over the 5km course
also placed her as the first Victorian over the line in her age
group. She hopes to qualify for the Victorian side as well as
the age nationals in the 800m pool event.
Kate’s selection follows-on from her great performance
representing Victoria in outdoor soccer last year. Kate, who plays A member of the Monash University Swimming Club, Holly
mainly on the wing, also represented Victoria in futsal (indoor
has been competing for the past three years. She hopes to
soccer) in January.
follow in the footsteps/swim strokes of her idol, Melissa Gorman and represent Australia in the 800m freestyle event at
Whilst soccer can be a bit physical at times, Kate said she loved
the Olympic Games.
the pace of game and the fact players can largely run the field.
Avila Matters Term 1, 2010 - 23
2010 House Swimming
T
eam spirit was electric and competition keen at the 2010
House Swimming Sports on March 11.
The atmosphere, perfect weather and impressive venue at
the newly refurbished Oakleigh Swimming Pool made up for
the cancellation of last year‛s event due to soaking rains despite the prevailing drought conditions.
At the end of the day, Chisholm was triumphant with 767
points, followed by Nagle 744, Mackillop 693 and Flynn 545.
The individual champions (pictured above) were:
Year 7 - Stephanie Bella Penna, Natallie Costello;
r/u Alice Whelan
Year 8 - Holly Dever; r/u Rebecca Abbott
Year 9 - Ruth Smith; r/u Stephanie Holmes
Year 10 - Katherine Konstantinidis; r/u Teaghan Sutherland
Year 11- Lillian Smith, and Danielle Costello;
r/u Tenille Grebert-Craig
Year 12 - Alex Bell; r/u Michelle Esmore.
24 - Avila Matters Term 1, 2010